STRONGSVILLE- Two weeks after Charles Goss retired from his long-held post as Strongsville Chief of Police, Cuyahoga County District 5 Councilman Mike Gallagher called him “a man of integrity” as he issued a proclamation from the County Council honoring Goss at the Oct. 15 Strongsville City Councilman.

“His life is an inspiration to all those who willingly and selflessly donate their time and energy as he does to improve the quality of life for many,” Gallagher said, reading from the proclamation.

Gallagher said he’s known Goss – who is now Strongsville Director of Public Safety – since his days as a Strongsville councilman.

“The things Charlie did for the city in the 11 years I served certainly made my job easier,” Gallagher said.

Goss was sworn in as a Strongsville police officer just after his 21st birthday in 1978, and spent his entire career working up the ladder until reaching its top in 1994, when he became chief of police.

That kind of lifetime service didn’t go unnoticed among Goss’ counterparts in other communities, Gallagher said. As chair of the county’s safety committee, he frequently works alongside police and fire chiefs.

“When they find out that I’m from Strongsville, a certain thing seems to click, and the name Charlie Goss comes to mind for many people,” Gallagher said.

The proclamation from the County Council is a formal recognition of Goss’ service, and Gallagher said he treats proclamations “like gold,” pointing out in his two years on the council, he’s only given out five.

“I think they should be meaningful and go to people who should be recognized for who they are and what they’ve done,” Gallagher said. “I can say without question that Charlie Goss, in my term and certainly throughout his 34 years in Strongsville, has treated citizens of Strongsville and served her people well.”

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